https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news.atomSummit Different - Blog2016-08-21T00:00:00+01:00Summit Differenthttps://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/have-you-been-glued-to-your-seat-during-the-rio-olympics2016-08-21T00:00:00+01:002016-09-24T19:29:28+01:00Have you been glued to your seat during the Rio Olympics?Summit Different

It’s been an epic week or so for cycling. So the road races didn’t quite go to plan, but they were thrilling to watch ..

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There’s certainly been a fight for the best spot on the sofa at Summit Different, with plenty to inspire across a wide range of sports. But naturally, the cycling events were the biggest pull. And if you hung up your cleats and didn’t wear lycra for the duration, who could blame you!

It’s been an epic week or so for cycling. So the road races didn’t quite go to plan, but they were thrilling to watch – even if the road conditions and awful crashes on the downhill sections had us peering from behind cushions. But Chris Froome still managed to grab bronze in the time trial. And then the doors to the velodrome opened. OMG or what?!

Team GB totally dominated, winning six out of the ten gold medals available. There were thrills and spills. There was the controversy of Cav’s move during the Omnium points race. There were agonising minutes of analysis and discussion, not once but twice, during the men’s Keirin final. Becky James proved what a fighter she is, coming back after injury and illness to get two silver medals. We got a great introduction to the new generation of riders coming through, such as sprinter Callum Skinner. The cycling world claimed Jason Kenny and Laura Trott as its king and queen. And Sir Chris Hoy has taken to punditry as easily as he made track sprints look. The racing was incredible to watch, day after day the tension and excitement grew more and more. If we were totally reckless, we’d have hopped on a plane to Rio and set up camp in some of those empty seats.

London 2012 seemed to really ignite an interest in cycling. The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 was just one part of a legacy programme designed to get people on their bikes. Now in its fourth year, the Pru saw some 27,000 cyclists riding parts of the 2012 Olympics road race route, plus the introduction of a 46-mile course for new and less experienced riders and young people aged 16+.

And whilst Team GB was busy breaking records in the velodrome, British Cycling announced some impressive news, with membership hitting 125,000. In 2012, the organisation had 50,000 members and its growth is proof positive that cycling as a sport and recreational activity really is booming. All over the country, more and more clubs have set up. Over 4,000 events now take place annually – and internationally there’s been an increase in the range of cycling holidays available. Many describe cycling as the new golf – not for nothing has the term MAMIL been added to dictionaries. And whilst women may be a much smaller proportion of this rise in numbers of cyclists, they do in fact represent the biggest growth.

And proof that the Olympic legacy has touched on much younger lives? Another story that broke during Rio was news of Frog Bikes opening a new factory to meet demands for its range of children’s bikes. How great is that, to know that a much younger generation is taking to two wheels. somewhere out there is a future Laura Trott, a faster Jason Kenny in the making – but more importantly, it represents the opportunity for children to fall in love with cycling and enjoy a life-long love affair with The Bike.

Now dust off your bike, go for a ride and celebrate being part of an amazing sport! We’ll leave you with a clip of some amazing cycling skills ably – if rather unexpectedly – demonstrated by Dutch rider Laurine van Riessen. Wow. Just wow.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/the-joy-of-cycling-it-s-more-beneficial-than-you-might-realise2016-07-19T07:48:00+01:002016-07-19T07:48:42+01:00The joy of cycling – it’s more beneficial than you might realiseSummit Different

So what is it that makes us all keep pedaling? The happy buzz you get after a really good ride can last for days, the feeling of getting fitter and stronger is fantastic ...

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Right now it’s pretty exciting in the cycling world – we’re in the midst of Tour de France and then it’s next stop Rio, when our road, track, MTB and BMX riders will be chasing medals. Meanwhile, the end of July sees London and Surrey roads closed down for Prudential RideLondon, a fantastic three day festival of cycling for tens of thousands of people to enjoy. This year, as well as the 100-mile mass participation event, there is a 46-mile sportive for newer cyclists and younger riders – it illustrates perfectly just how many people have discovered a love of cycling.

So what is it that makes us all keep pedaling? The happy buzz you get after a really good ride can last for days, the feeling of getting fitter and stronger is fantastic, but do you know just how much good you’re doing for yourself by getting on your bike? Well check this out:

It’s low impact exercise, so you’re less likely to suffer strains and injuries, yet you’re working all the major muscle groups.

It raises your metabolic rate, builds muscle and burns body fat, so cycling is a good activity if you’re trying to lose weight.

Cycling stimulates your heart, lungs and circulation, which in turn reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure.

Improved circulation improves the condition of your skin, with oxygen and nutrients delivered to skin cells more effectively and toxins flushed out. And keeping all of your body cells in better condition helps to reduce the risk of cancer generally.

Similarly, increased oxygen and blood flow to the brain helps build new brain cells in the hippocampus, the part that is responsible for memory.

Cycling improves your immune system so you will be less susceptible to illness.

Assuming you’re not spending all your time in spin classes or on a turbo trainer, cycling is likely to improve the quality of sleep. Research has proven that insomniacs who took up cycling fell asleep quicker and then slept for longer – this is thanks to exposure to daylight, which helps to set your body clock and the physical activity gets rid of cortisol, a stress hormone that can prevent sleep.

Not only is cycling good for physical fitness, it has a way of taking care of the head, too. Regular cycling can reduce stress and anxiety – partly through the effects of the physical exercise, but also because it’s an enjoyable activity. Don’t you feel happier and healthier after a fix of Bike?! Cycling releases natural endorphins that make you feel happier – if you’re ever prone to depression, exercise is excellent therapy.

The mental headspace you create during a ride – away from the usual pressures of normal life – does you good. Aerobic exercise improves creative thinking, so you may find yourself pedaling along and suddenly able to make a decision or crack a problem you’ve had at work.

Go on, stop reading this, ditch your smartphone or tablet, grab your bike and get out there. Whether you go faster, further or for longer, just enjoy! The benefits of what you’re doing impact on all parts of your life. And if you really feel like celebrating the joy of cycling, why not treat yourself to a nice new cycling jersey?!!!]]>
https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/women-s-cycling-is-going-from-strength-to-strength-and-rosie-the-riveter-has-never-been-more-relevant2016-06-10T00:00:00+01:002016-06-17T11:35:54+01:00Women’s cycling is going from strength to strength – and Rosie the Riveter has never been more relevant!Summit Different

Watch out for some the very best women in the sport today. World champion Lizzie Armitstead is on good form and working towards the Rio Olympic Games.

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Well despite some negative press recently regarding accusations of sexism within the British Cycling camp, women’s cycling generally is gaining momentum. Women are the biggest growth market in the cycling industry, and on the professional circuit female cyclists are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

At the end of March RideLondon announced that the pro women’s race would have the same prize fund as the men’s. And just a few weeks ago came the news that all UCI World Championship Road events will offer equal prize money for both male and female events. Which leads nicely to the excitement of the Aviva Women’s Tour of Britain, which runs 15-19 June!

Since the inaugural event in 2014, interest in this five-stage race has really grown and there will doubtless be massive crowds out to support the peloton, regardless of what the weather is doing. The distance and total ascent is growing year on year and the 2016 event looks to be the best yet, with some really challenging climbs as the race enters the Peak District.

Watch out for some the very best women in the sport today. World champion Lizzie Armitstead is on good form and working towards the Rio Olympic Games. Emma Pooley, who retired two years ago, is back on the road and reigning Olympic road race champ Marianne Vos will be looking to make her mark on this race – and will probably be sending a few messages to Armitstead ahead of their August meeting in warmer climes! Meanwhile, there is a clutch of younger British riders to follow, including Hannah Barnes who has started to make a strong impression. The race covers parts of Suffolk, Norfolk, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire – full details of the race stages are available from British Cycling Want to keep in touch with the day’s events? ITV 4 is showing highlights every evening.

Greater equality with the pro men and the sheer quality of these female riders is a great example of girl power – and the Women’s Tour will hopefully inspire even more women to start cycling more. And what better jersey to wear than our very own Rosie the Riveter!

Long before The Spice Girls set out to own girl power, Rosie the Riveter was an icon of female strength. Dating back to 1943, Rosie was designed to inspire and boost the morale of workers in America during the war – and even today, Rosie continues to inspire. Just as the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign is inspiring women to take up all forms of exercise, no matter what age, shape or size they may be, so Rosie is doing her bit for women cyclists (in our humble opinion!). Wear Rosie the Riveter and how can you fail to not give every ride your best effort, to keep spinning the legs when they’re burning on a climb or to get a personal best on a Strava segment or, sometimes, just haul yourself out of bed and get out on the bike – with ‘we can do it’ proudly emblazoned across your chest and back, you have to just believe it and go for it!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/122482561-thinking-of-a-summer-cycling-holiday-this-year2016-05-20T00:00:00+01:002016-06-06T19:25:23+01:00Thinking of a summer cycling holiday this year?Summit Different

Just imagine it: no worries about stuffing a waterproof jacket in your jersey pocket, developing those cycling tan lines, fantastic scenery, exciting new routes to discover, the chance to meet new people.

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Just imagine it: no worries about stuffing a waterproof jacket in your jersey pocket, developing those cycling tan lines, fantastic scenery, exciting new routes to discover, the chance to meet new people.

Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Corsica, Spain and France are all popular European destinations. Or, if you fancy somewhere further afield, how about America, Chile, South Africa or Australia! In line with the increase in cycling as a leisure activity, the availability of cycling package holidays has increased in recent years. A quick search for cycling holidays in France and you could very quickly be booked on a trip that will see you riding iconic Tour de France routes and challenging yourself to conquering climbs such as Mont Ventoux. Companies such as Exodus Travels and Ride & Seek organise trips all over the world and costs include travel, accommodation and food, guides and vehicle support and, depending on which holiday you choose, even local bike hire.

These kind of holidays are great if you like everything on a plate. But what if you want to do what YOU want to do?! Well, you can go completely DIY, do your homework, plan your routes and accommodation yourself. The downside is: what happens in the event of a mechanical or accident and you have no back-up plan?

The alternative is to arrange a bespoke holiday but to travel with a guide. If this sounds a more reassuring option, take a look at companies such as Richer Cycling. Richer Cycling is run by Richie Mitchell, an experienced cyclist who has worked on tours and events all over the world (and the UK!) and also supplies guiding services to Ride & Seek. He’ll work with you to design routes that will suit your experience, fitness and aspirations, as well as organising accommodation. Even better, you’ll be riding with a good ride leader and qualified cycle mechanic, so you don’t have to worry about a ruined day because you got lost or a wheel buckled.

With your holiday decided, the next biggest decision is likely to be whether to take your own bike or hire one locally. Hiring can often be easier, as long as you know you’ll have access to quality bikes – not usually a problem in popular destinations. Transporting a bike by plane requires very specific packing and there is obviously a fee involved.

And then there is the question of what to pack. If you’re staying in one place or having your luggage transported from one place to another, you can be fairly liberal in how much you take. If you need to carry everything in panniers, you’ll need to be a little more economical. Apart from the obvious gear you’ll need, here are a few useful things to add to your luggage:

A Merino baselayer, which can be worn for days without smelling and then you don’t need to wash your jersey every day.

Arm warmers and leg warmers in case it’s chilly first thing in the morning.

Windproof gilet for cooler weather.

A buff, brilliant in any weather.

And to make sure that everyone notices you when you reach the top of an arduous climb, you should obviously be wearing a Summit Different jersey to stand out from the crowd!

Don’t forget to take with you any of your preferred energy bars and gels. Make sure you have two bottle cages on your bike. And sun lotion and travel wash are a must!

Happy holidays!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/97801665-the-joy-of-cycling-in-the-summer-is-not-far-away-are-you-ready2016-04-29T00:00:00+01:002016-06-06T08:38:28+01:00The joy of cycling in the summer is not far away ... are you ready?Summit Different

Can you feel the temperature rising?! Admittedly, the weather’s been a bit unpredictable recently, but there are definitely warmer days on the way.

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Can you feel the temperature rising?! Admittedly, the weather’s been a bit unpredictable recently and Storm Katie will have scuppered the plans of many cyclists over the Easter bank holiday, but there are definitely warmer days on the way.

Which means it’s time to reconsider what you’re wearing on the bike. There’s nothing worse than getting kitted out in winter tights and overshoes and find yourself overheating as the sun comes out an hour into your ride – and yes, hands up, we have suffered that very fate. Right now it’s easy to get caught out by the weather, but there are nifty ways of dealing with changeable conditions – without compromising the development of tan lines whenever possible!

JerseyNot all cycling jerseys are created equal! When choosing yours remember to check the type of material used, it should have stretch for comfort and good wicking properties to keep you cool and stop you becoming soaked with sweat. Mesh side panels will also help to ensure you don’t overheat. Make sure it has a silicone gripper around the bottom hem – the last thing you want is to have to constantly readjust your jersey on a ride. And you’ll definitely need those all important rear pockets for storage. Strangely enough, Summit Different’s jerseys fit the criteria! And we have some great designs that will ensure you stand out from the cycling crowd – Rubik’s is always a popular choice.

ShortsDitch those winter tights and pull on the shorts. Make sure they’re comfortable and have a decent pad for longer rides.

Arm and leg warmersAn absolute must! They’re ideal for in-between temperatures and early morning starts – when you’ve warmed up and the temperature begins to rise, they’re easy to remove and take up very little room in a back pocket.

GiletThis is probably one of the handiest items you can have. Gilets feel like a little bit of nothing, but they do a brilliant job of keeping your core warm and you’ll be glad you’re wearing one if you set out early in the morning. Just like arm and leg warmers, a gilet is easy to roll up and stuff in a pocket once you’ve warmed up – and always good to carry with you just in case the weather doesn’t turn out as expected.

GlovesYou’ve probably been using winter gloves until recently, so now is a good time to check your summer gloves. Check the padding and, if you need a new pair, it could be a good idea to look at gloves that have a mesh upper to help breathability.

ShoesOkay, we can’t all afford to have several pairs of cycling shoes, but if you are looking to buy a new pair do make sure they have good ventilation. When it comes round to winter, a decent pair of socks and overshoes will keep your toes dry and toasty.

SunglassesThere’s no point in looking cool in your summer gear if you have to squint as you ride into the sun. Prices range wildly, depending on how brand conscious you are, but the important thing is to ensure the glasses provide protection from UV rays and fit well, with no chance of slipping.

HelmetIf you haven’t got out much over the winter, dust off your helmet and check that it’s still in good condition with no cracks. If you’re in the market for a new one, remember to think about how much ventilation your preferred helmet will provide – it’s just as important as how good it looks and how well it fits.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/85140737-how-will-you-fill-your-cycling-diary-in-20162016-03-21T14:08:00+00:002016-03-21T14:09:35+00:00How will you fill your cycling diary in 2016?Summit Different

The changeable weather may mean that time in the saddle has been compromised recently, but you’re probably beginning to think about plans for how you’ll spend the spring and summer months.

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The changeable weather may mean that time in the saddle has been compromised recently, but you’re probably beginning to think about plans for how you’ll spend the spring and summer months. Our email inbox seems to be filled on a daily basis with news of various sportives, so here’s a quick round up of just some of what’s on offer.

Velothon WalesHow can any road cyclist resist the temptation of a closed road sportive?! Velothon Wales takes place in Cardiff on 22 May, with riders tackling a 140km route that includes two challenging climbs – the notorious Tumble in the Brecon Beacons and Caerphilly mountain. Individual entry costs £65.

Cycling Weekly sportive seriesWith 29 events throughout England and Scotland, and covering road cycling and adventure cross, there is plenty to choose from. The series has kicked off already so there are events ready and waiting for anyone who has the legs! Cycling Weekly is currently offering season passes – save 10% when you book three events, 15% on five events and 25% on 10 events.

Human Race eventsHuman Race offers a great range of cycling events, with distances varying from 50km to 300km. Events include the Dragon Ride (5 June), one of the UK’s most prestigious sportives. The Gran Fondo features some 2,900m of climbing – if you get chance to look up you’ll be treated to spectacular scenery. Or ride the same roads as the pro riders and take part in the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride on 1 May, the same day as the final stage of the pro Tour de Yorkshire. And then there’s L’Etape London on 25 September, which starts and finishes in Lee Valley VeloPark – choose from three distances and sample much of the route used for Stage Three of the 2014 Tour de France.

Dulux Trade London RevolutionFancy a multi-day challenge? London Revolution runs over two days (14-15 May) with an overnight stop and evening meal. Starting out from Lee Valley Athletics Centre, the 185-mile route goes through Central London – via some of London’s greatest landmarks – and heads out to the North Downs, turning west towards Windsor and the overnight camp at Ascot racecourse. Day two is the return to London via the Chiltern Hills and Epping Forest.

Ride ItEvans Cycles Ride It organises a great series of MTB and road events all over Britain. Distances and difficulty vary so there is something for everyone – and kids aged 16 or under are free, but must be accompanied by an adult. Book in advance and you’ll get a free High5 race pack (worth £10) on the day.

Prudential RideLondonThe biggest sportive of the year 'Prudential Ride London' and now that entrants know the result of the ballot, cyclists all over the country – and beyond – are either jubilant to have a place or are cursing their bad luck. Of course, if you haven’t been successful in the ballot you can still get a charity place. Sunday 31 July will see much of London and Surrey come to a standstill as thousands of cyclists tackle 100 miles of closed roads, following a route that emulates much of the London 2012 Olympic Road Race. This is actually just one event run over the two-day cycling festival – there is also family cycling in Central London on the Saturday (more closed roads!), Brompton racing, a handcyle race, plus Pro Women’s Grand Prix and the Pro Men’s Classic, which follows a similar route to the sportive. The atmosphere is fantastic and well worth a visit, whether you’re taking part or not

Go on, get signed up for one. Or two. Or maybe quite a few! It’s good to have goals to work towards and it’ll make sure you get out on your bike to train whenever you can – and who can argue with that?! And if you are planning to do any fundraising along the way, we provide a bespoke custom jersey service – ideal for clubs and charities that aren’t ordering in huge volume.

Of course, you’re only human and you’ll need to relax and recover in amongst all that cycling. Ideal sofa time will be any time between 2-24 July, when we’ll all be wondering if Chris Froome can win the Tour de France for the third time. And then we have the Rio 2016 Olympic Games 5-21 August and the Paralympic Games 7-18 September – if 2012 is anything to go by, Team GB will be fantastic to watch!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/86940929-valentine-s-day-gifts-for-cyclists2016-02-10T07:48:00+00:002016-02-09T18:10:07+00:00Valentine’s Day Gifts for CyclistsSummit Different

Roses and chocolates are all very well, but for the cycling love of your life such gifts might fall a little flat. After all, it’s a well known fact that cyclists love new kit and equipment.

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Roses and chocolates are all very well, but for the cycling love of your life such gifts might fall a little flat. After all, it’s a well known fact that cyclists love new kit and equipment. Cycling is an obsession that needs to be fed and the vast majority of us can never have enough of, well, anything cycling related! So here are our top tips for gifts to give for Valentine’s Day – guaranteed to ensure your cycling husband/wife/partner will be delighted when they tear off the wrapping paper!

Love me, love my bikeDoes your other half treat their bike like it’s the Crown Jewels? More than likely (and rightly so!). It probably gets more attention than you some times, and at this time of the year cleaning up after a ride can take a fair amount of time. So why not treat them to some new cleaning kit – it’ll make the job quicker and more effective, which then means more time to spend with you! We particularly likeMuc-Off and the various bundles you can buy.

Home is where the heart isThe trouble is, cyclists can be gone for hours! How about a Garmin – a great gizmo to use and it’ll help make sure they don’t get lost and can get back in time for dinner/date/trip to the supermarket! The Edge Explore 1000 has a battery life of up to 15 hours and excellent mapping functions, so it could be a good choice if your other half has a tendency to go astray.

How deep is your love?Is one bike ever enough? If the love of your life is lusting after a new model, the gift of a bike is probably the single greatest expression of love you could ever make. Of course, this could stretch the finances somewhat, but retailers such as Tredz offer 0% finance on purchases over £250. They say love hurts, but this definitely softens the financial blow.

Say it with roses RosieOur Rosie the Riveter cycling jersey is the perfect gift for the lady in your life. Rides like a girl? Yep, and she’s tough and gutsy to boot!

Red is romanticFor your special man, how about a Simon’s Cat jersey. It’s good quality kit, it’s red, it fits the bill.

Feeling a bit saucy?After hours in the saddle, ‘things’ can feel a little sensitive – it’s can be a passion killer. So maybe some chamois cream will save your Valentine’s Day! Assos Chamois Cream gets a big thumb’s up.

And one for literary loversVentoux by Bert Wagendorp has been getting some great reviews. A novel about old friends who get together to ride up Mont Ventoux, it’s as much about friendship and relationships as it is about cycling.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/85138497-and-what-new-year-resolutions-have-you-made2016-01-08T10:35:00+00:002016-01-27T10:38:29+00:00And what New Year resolutions have you made?Summit Different

Christmas seems such a long time ago now ... but now that all the festivities are over thoughts naturally move to the year ahead and many a New Year resolution will have been made, but how many will be kept?!

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Christmas seems such a long time ago now ... but now that all the festivities are over thoughts naturally move to the year ahead and many a New Year resolution will have been made, but how many will be kept?! We’ve thought of some that we’re hoping to achieve – maybe they’ll give you some inspiration, too.

Get in shape and lose weight in time for the summer sportives

Unless you’re a pro athlete intent on sticking to a strict regime, the odds are that you’ll have over-indulged a little (or a lot!) over Christmas. It’s also normal to put on a little weight over the winter months anyway, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t like what the scales are telling you. If you’re planning on taking part in sportives in the coming months now is the time to start getting in shape. Being sensible about what you eat (no crash or fad diets!) is the best approach for sustainable weight loss. Combine that with regular exercise and you’ll soon be back to fighting fit and ready to take on those cycling challenges.

Cut back on alcohol

The very latest guidance on alcohol consumption suggests that we should all abstain from drinking alcohol at least two days a week. As well as health issues, drinking also contributes to weight gain – lovely as a glass of wine or a pint can be, alcohol has no nutritional value and who needs empty calories!

Get more sleep

We lead such busy lives and trying to fit everything in often means too little sleep. If you’re training for a ride constant tiredness will do you no good, so start being kinder to yourself. A good night’s sleep will give your body chance to recover from physical exercise and you’ll feel more mentally alert as well. Enjoy your cycling but remember to also enjoy catching some zeds!

Meet up with friends

When you’re a cycling nut it’s very easy to spend all your time on a bike, leaving little time for socialising. Have a think about who you might not have seen recently and make some dates to meet up, it’ll do you the world of good. Of course, it’s also an opportunity to encourage them to get on a bike as well, especially if you lure them with the promise of coffee and cake!

Save the planet!

A few weeks ago a petition was started by Italian radio presenters who believe the humble bicycle should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Getting on our bikes probably won’t solve international conflicts any time soon, but we all know that a bike is far more environmentally friendly than a car. So why not ditch the car whenever you can? Maybe you could commute to work by bike if it’s close enough – even cycling to the train station if you work further away will make a difference. And lots of ad hoc short journeys could easily be done by bike, whether you’re meeting a friend for coffee or popping out for a pint of milk – just remember to take a backpack or panniers for shopping!

Learn something new every month!

Book yourself onto a bike maintenance workshop. Try track cycling. Discover what cyclocross is all about. Of course, it doesn’t have to be bike related, it’s good to have diverse interests so if you’ve always wanted to learn Italian go for it!

Stop procrastinating

Instead of saying ‘I’d like to do London to Paris, but I won’t be fit enough/I’m scared of the distance/I’ve never done anything like it before…’ try saying ‘I’m going to do London to Paris’ instead. Having a ‘just do it’ attitude is so liberating and you’ll be amazed by what you can achieve.

Watch less TV - get out on the bike

Let’s face it, there’s not much on the box to inspire the mind! So why not go for a ride instead – you know that a quick spin will put you in a much better mood than a dose of Eastenders!

Adopt a cute pet!

Okay, this might be a bit radical for some. But if you’re thinking of getting a dog or cat, why not consider adopting one – there are so many animals that need loving homes. And a doggy companion that needs a daily walk is also rather useful for your fitness.

Do something for charity

Why not add a charity ride into your sportive calendar – what could be better than doing something that you enjoy and benefitting others at the same time! Lots of charities run bike events as part of their fundraising, so you can easily choose one that’s close to your heart.

Have you made any resolutions of your own? We’d love to know what they are!]]>
https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/81502465-look-back-at-2015-looking-forward-to-20162015-12-28T02:34:00+00:002015-12-28T02:34:56+00:00Look back at 2015 ... looking forward to 2016!Summit Different

Where the heck did 2015 go? Well, what a busy year it’s been. 2015 has been a great one for cycling, although it’s probably best that our latest foray into the world of MTB is quickly glossed over ...

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Where the heck did 2015 go? Well, what a busy year it’s been. 2015 has been a great one for cycling, although it’s probably best that our latest foray into the world of MTB is quickly glossed over – a lot of mud, many walks of shame over a rather challenging route, a long time spent getting clean (possibly longer than the ride itself)! I guess the experience serves as a good reminder that we should never moan about cleaning a road bike again!

It’s also been an exciting year for Summit Different. We reached the grand old age of four, launched our much improved new website and continued to send our cycling jersey to far-flung places all over the world! It’s fantastic to know that our jerseys are being worn in so many different countries – hopefully putting a big smile on your face, as well as everyone around you!

We also introduced a custom service which is ideal for charities and clubs looking to place a minimum order of 25 garments. Same great quality as our main product range and we can supply running tops as well.

Talking of running, 2015 also saw the launch of our Simon’s Cat running top – perfect for runners with a good sense of humour and a desire to look that bit different to everyone else pounding the streets!

We’ve also been hard at work planning some new initiatives for 2016. Needless to say we’re keeping things under wraps for now, but we’re very excited and hope you will be as well when you see what we’ve been up to. Don’t forget that you can keep up to date with us on Facebook and Pinterest – that way you can be sure that you’ll never miss out on anything!

All that’s left to do now is to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. And remember, any over-indulgence of turkey, Christmas pud and chocolate is okay – a few festive spins out on the road or turbo trainer will soon get you feeling trim again!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/80216833-great-cycling-reads-for-the-cycling-enthusiast2015-12-14T17:31:00+00:002015-12-14T17:42:47+00:00Great cycling reads - for the cycling enthusiastSummit Different

Whether you want to find out more about your favourite pro rider, are looking for an amusing read or want to improve your cycling knowledge, there are some great books out there. So here is our round up of some of the best.

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With the interest in cycling as both a sport and hobby/pastime/obsession continually growing, so publishers have discovered that there is an eager audience for books on the subject. Whether you want to find out more about your favourite pro rider, are looking for an amusing read or want to improve your cycling knowledge, there are some great books out there. So here is our round up of some of the best.

Discover the men behind the lycra

Nicely timed for Christmas is a clutch of biographies from some of the world’s most famous professionals. First up, The World of Cycling According to G provides an insight into the life of the cheeky chappie from Wales. From the first time he shaved his legs to the injuries he’s acquired during his career so far, Geraint Thomas gives an entertaining glimpse into the world of pro racing.

There have been a fair few attempts at the Hour Record during 2015, and Bradley Wiggins: My Hour is dedicated to Wiggo’s record-breaking ride. The book covers in detail his training and preparation, the people who support him, the gruelling physical and psychological effort involved. If you wonder why people do it, read this book!

Chris Froome may not be one of cycling’s most charismatic personalities, but he knows how to ride a bike, and The Climb: The Autobiography is a very honest account of his life. From growing up in Kenya to working his way up through the cycling ranks to claiming the famous yellow jersey, The Climb is an engrossing and compelling read.

Moving on from the man who wants to ensure cycling is a clean sport to cycling’s biggest villain, The Program: Seven Deadly Sins – My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong is journalist David Walsh’s account of his 13-year quest to prove that Lance Armstrong was guilty of using drugs to win. Subsequently made into a film (very good, by the way), this is a fascinating exposé.

Something for the coffee table

P is for Peloton is jam-packed with interesting snippets that cover everything from the sport’s most famous names to many weird and wonderful facts. A fun read, this book is perfect if you like to read in small bursts (maybe whilst waiting for a short sharp storm to pass before setting off on a ride!).

Infographic Guide to Cycling provides plenty of information in a visually interesting and easily digestible way, covering diverse topics such as doping and bike tech, along with various cycling disciplines.

For cyclists who want to be ‘in the know’ possessing a copy of The Rules: The Way of the Cycling Disciple is absolutely essential. The Velominati have created the cyclist’s bible – more extensive than the Ten Commandments, these rules will show you how to become the hardman of cycling, how to ensure your bike is uber-cool and why tan lines are a good thing. You’ll probably also start to look at fellow cyclists a little differently, too!

And for those of us who want to unleash our inner bike mechanic

Don’t do anything unless you’ve got a copy of The Bike Book: Complete Bicycle Maintenance opened at the relevant page! Motorists have relied on Haynes manuals for donkey’s years and the cycling version is just as informative.

Happy reading! (And please note: we’re really not promoting Amazon, the site is just a very good virtual bookshelf!)]]>
https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/78272705-how-to-survive-the-winter-months-when-you-can-t-get-on-your-bike2015-11-30T14:45:00+00:002015-11-30T14:45:48+00:00How to survive the winter months when you can’t get on your bikeSummit Different

Cycling is a great form of exercise, but we could all probably do with a little variation in our training to stretch leg muscles and strengthen the core.

Cycling is a great form of exercise, but we could all probably do with a little variation in our training to stretch leg muscles and strengthen the core. This is true at any time of year, but what cycling nut wants to spend time in a sweaty gym when the sun is shining and the roads are begging you to hit the tarmac – the opportunity to ride your bike will always win over an exercise class.

But what about when the weather turns and it’s less easy to get out, be it down to poor weather or lack of daylight hours? The obvious solution is to turn to the turbo trainer, lock yourself away in your garage – if you have the budget to buy top range software, you’ll be able to transport yourself to fantastic virtual locations and race against other riders – or plonk yourself in the living room so that you can watch TV at the same time. But time on the turbo doesn’t suit everyone and, in any case, why not take the opportunity to keep fit in other ways?

Most of us live within relatively easy reach of gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools, so why not take a look at you can do locally? Desperately need a pedaling fix? Spin classes are all the rage and will give you a really good workout – they are as hard as you want them to be, and are a good alternative for anyone with two left feet who struggles with choreographed aerobic classes.

Yoga really complements cycling and will keep you flexible and supple whilst improving strength. The plank is just one yoga position that has become a mainstream exercise for improving power and stability on the bike, so just imagine what a yoga class could do for you in the long term. You’ll find a variety of classes, from classic yoga to hot yoga (you guessed it, yoga in a hot and humid studio) to antigravity yoga, which is a bit like acrobatics in an elasticated hammock – Google it, it looks amazing!

Like yoga, Pilates is great for general fitness with particular emphasis on core strength. It’s improves muscle tone, balance and joint mobility – perfect for cyclists!

If lack of cycling is leaving you climbing the walls, why not do just that – climb a wall. You don’t need to be planning to conquer Everest to get a kick out of climbing and it’s great for strength and agility. Climbing is also really good for mental strength and confidence building – proving you can get past that tricky overhang or reach higher than before is not unlike the challenge of getting up a particularly steep hill.

There are also plenty of things you can do from the comfort of your own home. It’s easy to find information on exercise online (both general and cycling specific) or you could pick up an exercise DVD to motivate you into action – Davina McCall anyone?! Having a few pieces of equipment to hand is also useful. An exercise ball is good for working on core strength – its instability means you have to use your muscles more to keep stable. Stretchy resistance bands will give your arm and leg muscles an extra workout. And that most humble of activities, skipping, is incredibly good for getting your heart and lungs working (think more Rocky and Raging Bull and less kids in the playground). Skipping for short intervals will build leg strength and is particularly good if you enjoy sprint cycling – try adding in 2-3 minutes of skipping in between other exercises.

And if you can’t bear being cooped up in the gym or at home, how about a quick run. Parkrun organises free 5km timed runs all over the place and it’s more fun than running round the block on your own. Or find a running pal through Jogging Buddy.You could even treat yourself to a Simon’s Cat running top so that you really look the business!

Whatever you choose to do through the winter months, any exercise will pay off when you are able to cycle more regularly and any challenges you’ve set yourself in the first few months of 2016 will definitely be more achievable.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/77996865-winter-training-camps-the-best-way-to-beat-the-winter-blues2015-11-27T16:30:00+00:002015-11-27T16:32:12+00:00Winter training camps – the best way to beat the winter bluesSummit Different

Worried about not being fit for those sportives you’ve signed up to ride early next year? Planning a ‘biggie’ such as Etape du Tour? Or just fed up with the weather and fancy getting away from it all ...

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Worried about not being fit for those sportives you’ve signed up to ride early next year? Planning a ‘biggie’ such as Etape du Tour? Or just fed up with the weather and fancy getting away from it all (because who really needs an excuse to ride, ride and ride a bit more)? Why not take a leaf out of the pros’ book and book yourself onto a winter training camp for a long weekend or – even better – a whole week!

Just imagine it, sun, blue skies, beautiful scenery, quiet roads and days of nothing but cycling. Europe has plenty to offer keen cyclists and it’s well known that pro teams do a lot of their training in places such as Majorca – it’s spawned a booming industry aimed at the likes of you and me who want to improve fitness and test the legs over some challenging climbs.

Winter training camps tend to run from December into the early Spring months, dependent on location. Joining an organised training camp has the obvious advantage of having everything arranged for you, from the routes to bike hire. You can of course go DIY, but you could possibly miss out on the structure of an organised trip, and you’ll need to do plenty of research to familiarise yourself with your chosen location and routes.

Mallorca

Mallorca attracts plenty of tourists through the summer months, but winter is much quieter and the roads can be fairly empty of traffic. There is a mix of flat coastal roads and inland climbs in the mountainous region of Serra de Tramuntana – Sa Calobra, one of the island’s ‘must do’ climbs, has 26 hairpins and rises to 668m at an average of 7.1 per cent. Check out Sunvelo and Stephen Roche Cycling who both operate on the island.

Tenerife

If it’s good enough for Sir Brad (who started riding in Tenerife several years ago) it’s good enough for us – especially when you can expect to enjoy temperatures of up to 24 C. Tenerife is brilliant if you want to focus on climbing, with Mount Teide offering great altitude training up to 2,200m. Cycle Gran Canaria runs six-day guided training holidays from October to May.

Lanzarote

The volcanic island of Lanzarote also offers varied terrain. The highest mountains are 600m and there are several reknowned climbs, including Fémes and Tabayesco, the latter a 10km ascent. Club La Santa can accommodate all abilities, from novice cyclists to riders wanting to get race fit.

Spain

Andalucia is often included in the Vuelta de Espana, so you know that this part of mainland Spain will offer some great challenging routes! It’s a very arid landscape so chances of rain are minimal, you’re more likely to be enjoying warm temperatures up to 25 C. The scenery is stunning and there is little in the way of traffic, certainly no one blaring their horn trying to get past you for no reason other than you are on the road! Andalucian Cycling Experience runs week-long camps based in Montecorto from January to April.

Wherever you end up make sure you have adequate travel and personal liability insurance. Carry ID and ICE (in case of emergency) details with you at all times. Many organised camps supply bikes, which saves the hassle of transporting your own, but make sure you pack helmet, shoes, pedals (if you’re using your own) in your hand luggage just in case your suitcase goes astray. And remember that you’ll be riding in warm conditions, so keep hydrated!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/56460097-christmas-gift-ideas-for-the-cyclist-in-your-life2015-11-15T00:00:57+00:002015-11-15T00:00:57+00:00Christmas gift ideas for the cyclist in your lifeSummit Different

Can’t think what to give your cycling loved one or friend this Christmas? Worry not, we’ve taken some traditional present ideas and put a cycling spin (pardon the pun!) on them.

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Can’t think what to give your cycling loved one or friend this Christmas? Worry not, we’ve taken some traditional present ideas and put a cycling spin (pardon the pun!) on them.

Remember how as kids we all loved to get an annual? For more grown-up reading material how about an annual subscription to a cycling magazine! We found titles such as Cycling Weekly and Rouleur on magazine.co.uk, with up to 30% off the usual price.

Socks and underwear always seem to creep into the present pile one way or another! So what better than making sure that toes will be cosy during winter training, with a pair of merino wool socks that stay warm when they’re wet, are odour resistant and wick away sweat. And if you’re shopping for undies, female commuting cyclists will love these fun yet very practical padded polka dot pants.

Hats, gloves and scarves are good practical presents. Sealskinz, a brand that has become synonymous with quality garments for outdoors activities, does a great range of cycling gloves. Bulky scarves don’t really cut it on a bike, so choose a funky neck warmer instead (that can then be worn in many different ways) – there are loads on the market, but Buff was the original. And to stop heads getting chilly under the helmet, choose a thermal skullcap or headband – or even a balaclava if the cyclist in your life insists on riding in Arctic conditions.

We all have a favourite mug (don’t we?), so why not give one as a gift – we found some fun ones on Supermug. The messages tap in perfectly to the cycling psyche.

Looking for cufflinks and earrings? We’re frankly amazed by just how much cycling-related jewellery is available. Cycling Jewellery is a young British company set up by talented jewellers who are also keen cyclists – the result is a fabulous collection of finely crafted silver jewellery, from bracelets to keyrings and covering all cycling disciplines (naturally!). Respoke Designs goes one step further and creates jewellery using recycled bike parts – you’d be surprised by what can be made from a bicycle spoke!

Christmas pyjamas seem to be a growing tradition, so we’ve found Apres Velo for the ladies and some cool loungewear PJ's for the men.

Likewise, Christmas jumpers fly out of the shops. So we’d be mad not to give ourselves a little shout out here – The Grinch cycling jersey would make a perfect Christmas present. But then so would any of our range!

Stocking fillers are easy – puncture repair kit, spare inner tubes, multi-tool, chain lube, there is an endless list of little bits and pieces that will fit very nicely into even the smallest stocking! And don’t forget to swap the Terry’s Chocolate Orange for energy bars and gels!

Looking for a big surprise that comes in a little box? It would probably have to be a Garmin or a GoPro camera, everyone loves new tech!

For a big present in a big box, we reckon a turbo trainer would produce squeals of delight.

And for a big present that’s impossible to wrap? Well, it has to be a bike – and someone would need to have been very, very good all year to get that kind of present! But retailers are trying to shift stock to make way for the new 2016 models, so there are some fantastic deals if you shop around (and know what frame size to buy).

Smellies! Well yes, us cyclists can be a bit smelly after a long ride and sometimes we just don’t want to hit the shower or bath straight away, so we wouldn’t even dare suggesting an alternative to perfume and aftershave!

Happy Christmas shopping!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/56452481-join-a-cycling-club2015-11-12T11:45:00+00:002015-11-12T11:46:31+00:00Join a Cycling ClubSummit Different

I thought about joining a cycling club for months before taking the plunge. Having spent a summer of doing 30-40 mile rides on my mountain bike, I had a road bike on order and knew I wanted to get more out of cycling.

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I thought about joining a cycling club for months before taking the plunge. Having spent a summer of doing 30-40 mile rides on my mountain bike, I had a road bike on order and knew I wanted to get more out of cycling. But I was also scared of looking like a complete idiot, I couldn’t bear the thought of wobbling everywhere or struggling with unclipping. So I spent ages riding alone until I felt ready to show my face.

My first introduction to the club was the Saturday social ride, a very relaxed run of about 15 miles with the obligatory café stop. Members lead and accompany the ride and it’s a great way to find out more about the club ethos. Many of the Saturday social riders don’t bother to become full club members, they just enjoy going out for a leisurely ride and a coffee – it’s a lovely atmosphere and nobody was bothered in the slightest by tricky cleat moments (of which I had several, despite all the practice!).

After a few Saturday rides, I then went along to the club’s Windsor ride, a non-hilly ride held once a month and open to non-members who are thinking about joining. Riding into a car park full of 60+ cyclists was slightly intimidating, but it was reassuring to recognise a few faces, to be welcomed and helped to find a suitable group to ride with.

On that first ride I learnt so much about using my gears for more efficient riding just by riding in company. The company was great, it didn’t matter that I’d never met any of my fellow riders before – on a bike conversation just seems to flow and you can eat up the miles without even realising the physical effort. I had a blast that day and didn’t hesitate to pay my subs.

Joining the club did everything I hoped for. I was training for my first century ride, so weekly rides of 50 miles was just what I needed. Hours in the saddle was important, but so was feeling okay about riding in close proximity to other cyclists – l learnt new skills, understood the etiquette of group riding and grew in speed, stamina and confidence. Just as importantly, I have made a huge amount of friends. The diversity of the club is immense. From the father who rides with his teenage son to a very healthy number of cyclists in their sixties (some of whom are far fitter than me), the club spans all ages. Shape is also well covered, from super-fit triathletes and the whippets that make up the fast group to those who are cycling to lose weight. And jobs range from postman, council worker, teacher, solicitor right up to the highest corporate echelon of Chief Exec. But none of this matters. Dressed in lycra and club jerseys we’re all the same, out there together doing something we love and club rides transcend any and all demographics.

Are you thinking of joining a club?

Riding with a club can give you greater motivation to get out and ride more for longer than if you’re planning a solo ride. You’re much more likely to get out of bed at an ungodly hour to ride with friends – even if the weather looks grim. And it’s so much more pleasant to ride with others if you’re doing long distance – you’ll cover the ground quicker and probably discover umpteen new routes in the process.

Check out the club’s website to see if it sounds like what you’re looking for. Some clubs will be more about social riding, others may be more focused on race training and competition. You can find clubs in your area through the British Cycling.

Find out if you can go along as a guest. Most are happy for people to try out a few rides before committing to joining.

Clubs tend to split riders into groups according to ability, from fast to slow based on an average speed. If in doubt, it’s probably wiser to ride with a slower group to get a feel for the pace, rather than thinking you’re Chris Froome and then holding back the group because you can’t keep up.

If you struggle on your first ride, don’t just give up – riding with a club is the perfect way to improve your fitness and build stamina, within just a few weeks it’ll probably feel very different.

Worried you’ll be dropped? Whilst some clubs will be a bit cut-throat about dropping slower riders, most will be mindful that we all have off days, some of us may not be natural hill climbers and not everyone is a downhill speed merchant. Each group will usually have a ride leader up front, supported by a sweeper at the back who will make sure no one is left behind. In my own experience we ride as a group, tackle hills at our own individual pace and always ensure that we regroup. If one of the group has a puncture or mechanical problem, we wait and lend a hand if needed. And yes, the camaraderie gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside!

Be prepared with spare inner tube, pump etc. It’s always better if you have everything you need than to rely on others.

Take money. There will be cake. There will be coffee. Café stops are an integral part of the ride!

Watch, listen and learn. You’ll probably meet a wide variety of cyclists, from those just starting out to those who have spent their lives riding and have encyclopedic knowledge of every single component on a bike. I have yet to meet anyone who feels the need to ‘teach’ me about cycling, but I have ridden with people who are happy to share knowledge and advice – from suggesting a different gear to be more energy efficient to discussing different tyre brands or cautionary tales of using CO2 canisters in the cold.

Needless to say, all the above comes with a word of warning – club rides can become addictive! After months of religiously attending every Sunday ride I’m currently juggling my own selfish desires with my children’s football commitments – cue one very moody madam when I don’t get my fix!

Guest Blogger, Rachel

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/52843457-fancy-taking-to-the-track-velodrome-cycling2015-10-30T17:22:00+00:002015-10-30T17:21:57+00:00Fancy taking to the track ... Velodrome Cycling?Summit Different

There’s no doubt about it, track cycling is an incredibly exciting spectator sport – the thrill of watching super-human cyclists whopping round a velodrome, their high speed skill and quick thinking, wheels so close it makes you wince, there is nothing else quite like a track race!

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There’s no doubt about it, track cycling is an incredibly exciting spectator sport – the thrill of watching super-human cyclists whopping round a velodrome, their high speed skill and quick thinking, wheels so close it makes you wince, there is nothing else quite like a track race!

So who would have thought that any of us can spin round the same tracks that have seen Hoy, Kenny, Clancy, Varnish, Trott and Pendleton (to name but a few giants of track cycling over recent years) ride to numerous victories. Okay, so a little perspective may be in order at this point:

you won’t be doing anywhere near that speed (probably)

you won’t be racing (at least not straightaway)

you may not even make it up the bank (the pros make it look so easy)

But wouldn’t you just love to have a go! If you’re lucky enough to live within reach of one of the UK’s five indoor velodromes you can book a taster session. If you get the bug and want to race, you’ll need to become accredited by completing a formal training course.

What to wearNormal cycling kit is the best option, avoid loose or flapping clothing and a couple of layers on your top half will help protect from cuts and grazes. Cycling gloves are also advisable for the same reason. Helmets are obligatory and can be hired from the venue, along with clip-in shoes. Clear or lightly tinted glasses are also useful to wear.

What you’ll be ridingA fixie! No brakes, no gears, it’s going to be fun! Bikes are available to hire at the velodromes.

What to expectTaster sessions will vary from one venue to the next, but they generally last for an hour and a coach will make sure you know how to pedal smoothly and stop safely. You’ll start out on the flat to familiarise yourself with the technique and then progress further up on the boards. The focus throughout is controlled riding and building confidence.

Where to goHere’s the low down on indoor velodromes, but there are also a number of outdoor velodromes around the UK that also offer taster and accreditation sessions.

Lee Valley VeloPark, LondonThe ‘Pringle’ was built for the 2012 Olympic Games and it was here that Team GB won seven golds, one silver and one bronze medal – a legendary performance. For £35, including bike and helmet hire, you’ll be able to experience riding on the world’s fastest indoor track.

National Cycling Centre, ManchesterThe UK’s first indoor Olympic track, this world-class venue opened in 1994. The centre has a very busy timetable, including family taster sessions where children as young as nine can have a go! Session prices vary but a one-hour taster includes bike and helmet hire.

Wales National Velodrome, NewportHome to Welsh Cycling, Newport hosts national and international competitions. There are a wide range of sessions and courses, from lunchtime drop-ins to 3- and 4-week courses and corporate afternoons. The track taster is just £15, including bike and helmet rental plus a free pair of gloves, and sessions are restricted to a maximum of 10 riders.

Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, GlasgowA 1-hour introduction to track cycling costs just £10.80, including bike, helmet and cleats. There are then three other sessions, during which you will develop the necessary skills to become accredited if you want to take your training further, attend drop-in sessions or enter races.

Derby ArenaDerby Arena’s taster sessions cost £13.90 for one hour, including bike, helmet and glove hire. This is the UK’s newest velodrome and is similar in style to Manchester.

Calshot Velodrome, SouthamptonLocated within an old aircraft hangar, Calshot isn’t quite as high-tech as other velodromes and offers a national standard track – but it’s no less fun to ride. A 1.5-hour introductory session, with bike, helmet and shoes included, costs £28. Or you could do a 4-hour weekend session (costing £55), which should see you progress to group riding and team pursuit drills.

And if you’d rather just sit back and watch…

Why not grab some tickets for the Revolution Series instead! There are still four more rounds coming up, in November and January, in London, Glasgow and Manchester. The afternoon and evening sessions are packed with races and the opportunity to see some of cycling’s leading lights competing as well as the HOY Future Stars, young riders who may one day become household names.]]>
https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/49831681-and-you-need-a-winter-bike-because2015-10-22T13:31:00+01:002015-10-30T17:45:44+00:00And you need a winter bike because…?Summit Different

It could be said that retailers and bike manufacturers are taking advantage of the bike lust that every single cyclist suffers from, that presenting certain models as ‘ideal winter bikes’ is simply a clever marketing ploy to maintain sales. Well, not entirely.

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If your email inbox is anything like ours, it will be crammed with bike retailers pushing their winter wares and end of year discounts. Naturally, we’ll all be tempted to pick up a few bits and bobs to keep ourselves warm on cold, crisp days (check out our article on kit for the colder weather if getting ready for a ride is giving you a headache), but what about the bike? More specifically, what about winter bikes?

It could be said that retailers and bike manufacturers are taking advantage of the bike lust that every single cyclist suffers from, that presenting certain models as ‘ideal winter bikes’ is simply a clever marketing ploy to maintain sales. Well, not entirely.

Just as we need to be dressed appropriately for the cold and wet weather, you do need to think about your bike. Whether you’re riding a £5,000 De Rosa, have moved up to a carbon frame or just really, really love your bike and buy wet wipes to keep it squeaky clean, you should be aware of the additional wear and tear on its moving parts from rain, spray from surface water, road salt and all the gunk that collects on the roads at this time of year. You can of course ‘winterise’ your bike by attaching a mudguard and changing to more robust tyres and tough inner tubes. But if the thought of your pride and joy being pelted by the elements is just too much then you might want to consider investing in a winter bike, especially if you’re planning to ride regularly throughout the winter months.

Naturally, budget has a significant part to play in this decision. But a winter bike doesn’t have to be top of the range or be fitted out with the highest specification components on the market – it doesn’t have to, and really shouldn’t, cost more than your best bike.

There are various ways the clever cyclist might approach the issue of adding to their bike collection – especially if it’s at the risk of annoying the other half by diverting funds for next year’s holiday or buying Christmas presents to satisfy yet another cycling itch!

Invest in a new ‘best’ bike. Maybe you’ve had yours for a few years now and fancy a change (for whatever reason!). Right now retailers are heavily discounting stock to make way for next season’s – there are plenty of fantastic bargains to be had. And don’t forget that many stores offer 0% finance or you might be able to qualify for a cycle to work scheme, both of which will soften the financial blow. You can then demote your current best bike to your winter bike, maybe with those few changes suggested above, and still be confident that you’ll have a great time when you’re out on the roads.

Check out all those discounted bikes and find one that will work well as a winter bike. First and foremost, it needs to be robust and reliable. Weight doesn’t really need to enter the equation for a winter bike, so forget the carbon, don’t ogle bikes with a Dura-Ace groupset – that should help keep things affordable. Winter framesets are typically made from steel or aluminium. And remember to make sure that you choose a model with mudguard eyelets. A true winter bike will not be sporting clip-on guards, full-length mudguards offer more protection against all the grime kicked up off the tyres, which means less wear and tear of components. At the same time, you want to feel suitably inspired and excited by the bike to get up on a frosty morning for a 50-mile ride, so it’s about striking the right balance between price and performance.

Allow your inner bike mechanic to shine and build a bike! Again, end of year sales can be a great time to pick up a cheap frame and separate components to then build to your own specification. It can also be well worth trawling through eBay for bargains, even to the extent of buying a second-hand bike that can be stripped down and adapted. Make sure you invest in wheels with a thicker than usual rim wall and tyres that will give good grip and resistance to punctures.

And if you need to further justify costs, either to yourself or your significant other, remember that a winter bike can also double up as a summer tourer, especially if there is the option to attach panniers!

Finally, a note on safety. Please make sure you are visible to other road users at all times. Daylight hours are short enough at this time of year, but visibility can change at any time so equipping your bike with decent lights is essential. And if you’re commuting or training early in the morning or at night, make sure you invest in a front light of at least 500 lumens so that you can see where you are going.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/49830337-what-choice-do-ladies-have-when-it-comes-to-cycle-clothing2015-10-22T12:36:00+01:002015-10-30T17:46:11+00:00What choice do ladies have when it comes to cycle clothing?Summit Different

It’s a well-known fact that many in the cycling industry take a ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women’s ranges. First of all we have to wait for new technology to be tested in the male arena, then it has to be feminised.

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It’s a well-known fact that many in the cycling industry take a ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women’s ranges. First of all we have to wait for new technology to be tested in the male arena, then it has to be feminised. The alternative is to buy unisex, but that often just doesn’t work – us ladies have hips and some of us don’t have enough chest to fit jerseys more suitable for men!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not waving a feminist flag, I have no beef with anyone who likes to wear pink (the WyndyMilla team certainly wear it well), I just don’t want to feel that I’m being defined by my gender when I’m out on the road. I want to be, quite simply, a cyclist!

Shorts and tights are pretty easily sorted, black is essentially standard issue. Jerseys are a different story, though. Take a look at any cycle clothing retailer’s range and I’ll bet you see lots of pinks and mauves popping up. Even if there are other colours, there’s almost always a girlie pink option. So thank goodness that some brands are stepping away from cosmetic colours, have cottoned on to the fact that women’s cycling is a seriously fast-growing area and we don’t need to be patronized by being restricted to fuchsia, blush or candy.

Good old Sir Chris Hoy knew to avoid pink when he partnered with Vulpine to create his HOY Vulpine range of clothing. As a relatively new brand, the women’s collection is not extensive but it looks the business. Technical, tailored for the female shape and blue and red are the only shock of colour – colours that anyone could wear, not just the ladies. There is much to like!

2015 also saw the launch of Liv, Giant’s sister brand. Whilst I love my Liv Avail, I’m less keen on the clothing and I don’t feel any immediate need to live the brand. There’s a generous helping of purple and pink in the range but, that said, balance is provided by a lot of predominantly black gear – I’m guessing that the female-led design team at Liv are aiming to cater for women who like more feminine colours, as well as the fussy madams with colour issues such as myself!

But why look anywhere else for a cycling jersey when Summit Different have such a great range (unashamed plug coming up)! I love the wit and freshness of SD’s jerseys – and the fact that there is no differentiation between what’s available for men and women. Us ladies have equal choice AND we get women’s fit! I now have four SD jerseys and I get great pleasure from wearing them.When I go on a club ride, whatever jersey I’m wearing seems to act like a conversation starter if I find myself riding alongside someone I haven’t met before – like the chap who is a big fan of Rubik’s Cube. I couldn’t tell you his name, but we had a lengthy conversation along the way all because of my jersey!

Guest Blogger, Rachel

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/46790401-planning-to-ride-all-year-round-get-kitted-out-for-the-colder-months2015-10-09T00:00:00+01:002015-11-12T12:12:37+00:00Planning to ride all year round? Get kitted out for the colder months!Summit Different

So it’s bye-bye summer and hello cold, frosty mornings. It doesn’t have to mean hibernating in your onesie on the weekends, you just have to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather. The challenge is to not overdress.

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So it’s bye-bye summer and hello cold, frosty mornings. It doesn’t have to mean hibernating in your onesie on the weekends, you just have to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather. The challenge is to not overdress. It’s much better to set out feeling a bit chilly than feel nice and cosy from the outset – if you’re warm the moment you start pedaling you will quickly overheat.

The trick is to equip yourself with layers that can be added or removed as need be to regulate your body temperature. So here are a few tips to ensure you continue to enjoy your ride no matter what the weather throws at you.

BaselayerA long-sleeve base layer is an absolute must. We all know about thermals, but we’re also big fans of anything made from merino wool. It’s wonderfully warm and soft, and retains heat even when it’s wet.

Long-sleeve jerseyMid-layers, outer layers, softshells, there are a lot of jerseys out there and it may take a bit of research to find the right one for you. Whether you’re looking for something to keep out the cold for a couple of hours or you need something that is windproof and waterproof as well, you’ll want a jersey with a high collar and a snug fit on the arms and body.

TightsWe love Roubaix-lined tights. This fleecy lining feels great against the skin and does a really good job of keeping legs warm. Tights without a chamois can also be useful in very cold weather, because you can wear your usual pair of shorts underneath as another layer for extra warmth.

Arm/leg warmersArm and leg warmers are fantastic value and a way of extending the use of your summer gear. Let’s face it, the weather can be unpredictable at this time of the year. You might set out for a ride feeling like you’re at the North Pole, only to be sweltering an hour or so later thanks to an unseasonably hot sun. Pull off your arm and leg warmers, stick them in a pocket and you’re away.

GiletA gilet is another must have. It has to be one of the most useful garments a cyclist can have as when the weather starts to turn colder. It’s amazing just how effective such a lightweight garment actually is. Perfect for keeping your core warm and the wind out, the fact that your arms are exposed means that your overall body temperature won’t get too high. And when you don’t need it, a gilet takes up next to no space in your jersey pocket and weighs virtually nothing.

GlovesThere is not a lot worse on a ride than suffering from cold hands. You may well end up getting several pairs for different types of weather – a lightweight glove for dry, mild conditions, and waterproof gloves for rain. Breathability is important (warm is good, sweaty is not!), as is thickness – you still need to be able to feel your brakes and gear shifters and not feel that finger movement is restricted. Silk liner gloves are also useful to have. Again, they create a layer that can be removed as need be, but will do a good job of keeping your fingers warm if your gloves are quite thin.

SocksCycling shoes are designed to let the air circulate so they can quickly reduce your feet to blocks of ice when the temperature starts to go down. Warm socks will make a big difference. Whilst layers are good on other parts of your body, they don’t work on feet. A decent pair of Merino wool socks will keep your toes warm and don’t tend to be so thick that your shoes feel so tight that circulation is affected.

OvershoesThere is little point in having toasty toes if it’s going to rain or the roads are very wet. Neoprene overshoes protect against wind and rain and are well worth investing in. Make sure you choose overshoes that fit well. Pay particular attention to how they fit around the cleat and on your ankle – these are both easy points of entry for rain, too loose and their purpose will have been defeated.

Head and neck gearThe vents in your helmet are fantastic in the summer, but not so great when there is a serious nip in the air. A headband or skullcap is a useful accessory to have, as is a buff that can be worn in all sorts of ways – on your head or as a neck warmer.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/46785793-riding-like-a-girl-is-cycling-sexist2015-10-06T10:18:00+01:002015-11-12T12:12:56+00:00“Riding like a girl” – is cycling sexist?Summit Different

So a couple of weeks ago Oleg Tinkov, owner of pro team Tinkoff-Saxo published a tweet that stated Chris Froome was ‘riding like a girl’ in the Vuelta. Yes, that bloke who rather convincingly won the Tour de France was, in Tinkov’s opinion, riding very poorly and that equated

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So a couple of weeks ago Oleg Tinkov, owner of pro team Tinkoff-Saxo published a tweet that stated Chris Froome was ‘riding like a girl’ in the Vuelta. Yes, that bloke who rather convincingly won the Tour de France was, in Tinkov’s opinion, riding very poorly and that equated with a female cyclist. Chris Froome’s inferior female-style performance turned out to be a broken ankle, and an apology was duly issued to Froome – but there was no apology for Tinkov slur on women. Not surprisingly, this attracted quite a lot of social media attention, further fired by Tinkov saying that ‘women’s cycling needs to be forgotten’.

We all know that many sports are male-dominated, and cycling is no different. Cycling has to fight for decent TV coverage as it is, but men’s pro races will always take preference (it’s not a complaint as such, watching the Tour de France every day was addictive!). Positive criticism of women’s cycling suggests that unless female events are given greater priority there will be no incentive for women to enter the sport, therefore it will not grow. It then stands to reason that less women will feel motivated to take it up at recreational level.

Go out for a spin on a weekend and I’ll bet that you see many more male cyclists than female. Is it because it’s harder for women who are also mothers to get out of the house? Is it that cycling just doesn’t appeal? Is it the thought of keeping safe on the roads? Is it lack of confidence at their ability? Does the thought of wearing lycra fill some women with dread? Do they dread the possibility of ridicule and verbal abuse if they’re carrying some excess weight (sadly, it happens)? Is it the frightening statistics of deaths amongst female cyclists who commute to work? I wouldn’t like to hazard a definitive answer. But the fact is: there are many more men cycling than women.

Over 25,000 cyclists took part in this year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. Of those, approximately 20,000 were men, with approximately 5,000 women in the field – that’s a ratio of 4:1. Yes, it’s a lottery as to who gets in, but that ratio must surely indicate that far less women are attracted to events of this kind. Thank goodness, then, for the likes of the Breeze Network, which aims to get more women cycling and the Macmillan Cycletta series (even if a few chaps decided to get involved in one of the events) ... read more.

And there are also some fantastic role models out there – from the professional riders such as Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, Dani King, Marianne Vos and the now retired Victoria Pendleton (who now acts as an ambassador for women’s cycling) to the unknowns such as Sue Pugh who has just completed the 3,000-mile Race Across Europe and is the first woman to do so. If that’s what ‘riding like a girl’ looks like, everyone – including Tinkov – really should take notice!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/44905985-happy-4th-birthday-to-us-and-heres-20-off-to-celebrate2015-09-18T19:37:00+01:002015-11-12T12:13:12+00:00Happy 4th Birthday to us and here's 20% OFF to celebrate!!!Summit Different

Wow, where does the time go? It seems that in the blink of an eye Summit Different has reached the grand old age of four! In cycling terms that pretty much equates with ditching the stabilisers, wobbling for those first few moments, gradually gaining control, and then loving the ride!

Wow, where does the time go? It seems that in the blink of an eye Summit Different has reached the grand old age of four! In cycling terms that pretty much equates with ditching the stabilisers, wobbling for those first few moments, gradually gaining control, and then loving the ride!

Back in September 2011 our biggest ‘wobbles’ were deciding on our product range, establishing good relationships with licensing partners and having some very serious ‘do we do pink or not?’ conversations. What we didn’t realise back then was just what a great start we’d have and how well the business would take off! Nor could we have ever anticipated the extent to which the 2012 Olympics and Team GB’s phenomenal success in cycling would grip the nation and inspire thousands of people to take to their bikes!

Our customer base has increased year on year, with orders coming in from all over the world. Summit Different cycling jerseys have been dispatched to 32 countries, including Australia, Japan and Chile, and we can imagine that a few of our jerseys have some exciting tales to tell!

Knowing we have happy, satisfied customers makes us very happy, too. Your incredibly positive feedback is fantastic, not to mention your loyalty. When customers keep coming back to buy our jerseys in different designs, it really does prove that we’ve got our products right – that they look good, fit well, offer good value for money and do their job properly. Customer comments and suggestions also spur us on to think about what we can do to make Summit Different and our product range even better! Watch out for new products coming soon – both cycling jerseys and technical running tops – exciting times are ahead!

Time to celebrate!

We’ll obviously be gorging on jelly and ice cream, with a big fat birthday cake to finish off. And for you, our lovely customers who we couldn’t possibly leave out of the celebrations, we’d like to give you 20% discount off any of our products. Just enter the code 'HAPPY4TH' at the checkout. Treat yourself to a new cycling jersey, grab an early Christmas present for cycling friends and loved ones – go on, you know it makes sense! But don’t take too long to decide, this offer is limited and expires at midnight on 24 September.]]>
https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/44421249-theres-room-on-the-road-for-cars-and-bikes-really2015-09-13T18:52:00+01:002015-11-12T12:13:25+00:00There's room on the road for cars and bikes ... really?!Summit Different

You’ve probably seen at least one of the viral videos captured on cyclists’ headcams that seem to occur with scary regularity – from the ugly face off between a cyclist and the now infamous coffee shop owner driving a 4x4 in Richmond to the driver who chases a cyclist on foot until he falls over.

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You’ve probably seen at least one of the viral videos captured on cyclists’ headcams that seem to occur with scary regularity – from the ugly face off between a cyclist and the now infamous coffee shop owner driving a 4x4 in Richmond to the driver who chases a cyclist on foot until he falls over. Whether you find them funny or horrifying, it’s a sad fact that motorists and cyclists make for uneasy road partners and, at best, seem to suffer little more than tolerance for each other.

It often feels like two steps forward and three steps back when it comes to sharing the road. For every campaign to improve understanding and safe cycling on the road (Chris Boardman’s video on how to overtake cyclists 'SPACE' being one of the most recent) there will be someone making vitriolic comments on social media, encouraging drivers to plough through cyclists, marveling at the ‘sport’ of driving close enough to make them wobble, or claiming to have knocked down three cyclists in one day by driving into their back wheels (all of these taken from just one thread on a Facebook community page – some posts were so extreme that the police were involved). It’s a very worrying situation.

It’s probably a fair assumption that many of us who ride bikes are also motorists, so maybe it’s down to us to try and change what is happening on our roads. You know how it feels if a car gets too close when you’re on your bike, so it stands to reason that you most likely give cyclists a wide berth when you are driving. If we adopt a ‘show don’t tell’ approach when driving – and become the examples to follow – there is every chance that we as an ever-growing body of cycling enthusiasts will start to drive change (pardon the pun!).

So what can we do to calm the road rage when we’re in the driving seat?

Give cyclists space. When overtaking, treat cyclists as you would a car i.e. ensure you are overtaking on a stretch of road where it is safe to do so and it is sufficiently clear ahead. Allow plenty of room, as much as you would overtaking a car – don’t try to keep within the white lines and squeeze past. Patience is also a wonderful thing and comes in useful if you can’t overtake straightaway – and don’t be bullied if drivers behind you start tooting.

Likewise, cyclists need to avoid drain covers, potholes and the like so may swerve. It’s another reason to give lots of space.

Take extra care at junctions and roundabouts and look out for cyclists

Don’t drive or park in cycle lanes – it’s actually illegal!

You can also do your bit when cycling

Never ride on pavements that do not have a designated side for cyclists. It’s not legal and it’s far more difficult for drivers exiting drives or side streets to spot you.

Still on the subject of pavements, don’t jump off them to join the flow of traffic – you risk an accident and, probably quite rightly, the wrath of the driver who has to brake suddenly.

Red lights apply to cyclists too, so don’t jump them!

Cycling at night and/or in poor visibility without lights and high-viz clothing puts you in a vulnerable position. Most drivers would be mortified to hit a cyclist so be sensible and be visible.

If you’re riding in a group, keep the formation tidy (remember, no more than two abreast) and be mindful of the traffic around you.

Use clear hand signals so that motorists know your intentions. Looking over your shoulder first will also indicate that you are about to make a manoeuvre.

Be vigilant and aware of what drivers ahead of you are indicating, particularly left turns when you could end up colliding if you haven’t been paying attention.

Keep calm. In the event of an incident, becoming abusive isn’t helpful, no matter how close a shave you’ve just had (if you’ve seen any of those viral videos you’ll know that legal/moral high grounds can become very shaky when arguments escalate).

Being polite can go a long way. If a driver has reacted to your presence in a courteous manner, a simple hand wave or nod of head in thanks will ensure that they will continue to respect cyclists.

And if anyone moans?

It is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast. Overtaking a long string of cyclists is more difficult than a compact group riding in pairs, but the width of the road should dictate the most sensible formation.

Riding in the gutters is neither safe nor sensible. You become less visible on the road and will end up swerving to avoid debris, drain covers etc, which could put you in danger. Riding up to 1m from the kerb is the advised position (known as the ‘secondary position’) and ensures you are in the stream of traffic – in theory, this should prevent motorists from squeezing past. But it’s also legal to ride in the middle of a lane. Taking the ‘primary position’ is often safer if the road is narrow or you’re riding past parked cars and need to avoid the possibility of someone opening their door onto you.

You aren’t obliged to use a cycle lane. Let’s face it, some cycle lanes are crazy and can make it downright dangerous for cyclists. It can also be more dangerous if you have to then weave in and out of parked cars.

Here’s to happy and safe cycling, happy driving and happier roads!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/41073345-beat-the-bonk-using-energy-bars-and-gels-for-sportive-rides2015-08-25T00:00:10+01:002015-08-25T00:00:10+01:00Beat the bonk – using energy bars and gels for sportive rides!Summit Different

You might not need to worry on an hour-long training ride, but if you’re riding for longer than that – and most certainly when taking part in a sportive – you need to consider on-the-bike nutrition.

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You might not need to worry on an hour-long training ride, but if you’re riding for longer than that – and most certainly when taking part in a sportive – you need to consider on-the-bike nutrition. Without fuel you run the serious risk of bonking, the cycling equivalent of distance runners hitting the wall. Feeling weak, shaky, dizzy or light-headed, even becoming confused, emotional or irritable, are all symptoms of bonking – it’s a horrible and potentially serious state to find yourself in.

There are foodstuffs in your kitchen cupboard that can provide a good source of carbohydrates, but there are also sports nutrition companies whose products are based on research and scientific knowledge and carefully designed to deliver the optimum amount of carbs in easily digestible forms. Specialist cycling nutrition takes away the guesswork for you, it can be less messy than a jam sandwich in your jersey pocket, and it’s designed to aid performance (no EPO in the ingredients, though!!!).Bonking is easy to avoid as long as you understand how to fuel your body adequately. Cycling burns up calories quickly and you need to keep your energy levels high throughout a ride so that you can avoid fatigue. Our bodies can only store a limited amount of carbohydrate, which is what provides energy, and no amount of carb-loading in the days leading up to an event will see you through a challenging ride of 2 hours or more.

The great thing about energy bars and gels is that they’ve been developed to be easy to consume on the go, they’re easy on the stomach and they provide sufficient quantities of carbohydrate to give you the energy you need. As long as you monitor how much you are consuming as the hours go by, you’ll be able to keep up a steady pace and feel good. What you don’t want to do is to consume too much, which could lead to stomach cramps and the premature end to that day’s sportive.

It’s important to remember that you need to eat ahead of the time when you are likely to need extra energy – you have to allow for digestion. So, although starting to nibble at an energy bar 30 minutes into your ride might seem ridiculous, it’s really not! Most energy bars are designed to be consumed gradually over the space of an hour – it’s commonly accepted that the body can utilise about 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour – so you can keep nibbling every 15-20 minutes and supply your body with a steady source of energy. Later in your ride you might want to switch to gels, particularly if you start to feel that you don’t want to eat but need a fast fuel injection.

Needless to say, knowing what sports bars and gels you like and what your stomach will or won’t tolerate is something you need to test out well in advance of a sportive. And trying something you like the look of because it’s available at a feed station isn’t a great idea, either – especially if it doesn’t agree with you. There is a huge range of specialist cycling nutrition on the market, but the biggest brands are probably High5 and SIS, both of which offer the full gamut of energy bars, gels, drink supplements and post-ride protein recovery products.

Finally, another important thing to remember is fluid intake. Make sure you drink alongside your pre-ride meal, and keep yourself well hydrated throughout the sportive – aim to drink approximately 500-1000ml every hour. It’s worth carrying two bottles if you can, one water and the other an electrolyte fluid which will replace electrolytes lost through sweat and help you avoid muscle cramps.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/41066753-our-website-has-had-a-makeover2015-08-18T12:06:00+01:002015-08-18T11:57:35+01:00Our website has had a makeover!Summit Different

Naturally, we’re rather pleased with how we’re looking – it’s a bit like getting a new cycling jersey or shorts. You know, like when you have to keep looking at yourself from different angles, maybe giving yourself a few admiring glances ...

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Naturally, we’re rather pleased with how we’re looking – it’s a bit like getting a new cycling jersey or shorts. You know, like when you have to keep looking at yourself from different angles, maybe giving yourself a few admiring glances every now and then! We just keep finding ourselves clicking different pages to enjoy the functionality, the user experience and all those things that you, our lovely customers, deserve!

So what’s new?

Well, first of all we’ve had a bit of a tweak to our brand. Our logo has subtly evolved into something much stronger, and it’s got just the right touch of quirkiness that sums up our cycling jerseys.

Navigation wasn’t great on the old site, so we hope you agree that it’s much easier and quicker to find your way around the new one. We’ve got nice, tidy menus that ensure all the important stuff is clearly visible. And the whole ordering part is now much improved – when you’re choosing your jersey you can see straight away how much stock is available in your size, a really good addition in our opinion because we hate disappointing customers because an order can’t be fulfilled immediately.

We’re also rather excited that the new site works beautifully on all devices – whether you’re ordering a jersey on your work computer (we won’t tell!), browsing our wares on a tablet while you’re in the bath, or making an order on your mobile and enjoying a coffee stop in the middle of your Sunday ride (after all, some things cannot wait!), you can access Summit Different every which way!

Like one of a cycling jerseys and want to tell the world? A quick click takes you to your social media platform of choice and you can let friends and family know to look out for you in your new Simon’s Cat jersey, or that you’d love The Grinch jersey for Christmas! And you can now tell us and other customers exactly what you think of our jerseys by adding a product review – we always appreciate feedback and we know that you like to know what other people think about quality, fit, value for money and so on.

We also want to keep in touch with people more, so we’d love you to join our newsletter mailing list – as a thank you we’ll even give you £5 off your first order. You know it makes sense! And coming soon will be the option to buy gift vouchers – the perfect present for a cycling friend or loved one.

So what do you think? Do let us know how user friendly you find the new look Summit Different online store.

If you are an existing customer and you created an account on the old Summit Different store, unfortunately we could not transfer your account details to the new site. When you visit us again you can re-create your account on the new site.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/40564993-is-there-a-cycling-code-of-conduct2015-08-14T14:30:00+01:002015-08-13T15:02:38+01:00Is there a cycling code of conduct?Summit Different

Well of course there is! But if you’re more used to cycling on your own you might be unaware of how groups of riders communicate and ensure everyone is safe. Whether you’re planning to join a club or have a few sportives in the diary, we’ve got some ‘good to know’ pointers for you.

Well of course there is! But if you’re more used to cycling on your own you might be unaware of how groups of riders communicate and ensure everyone is safe. Whether you’re planning to join a club or have a few sportives in the diary, we’ve got some ‘good to know’ pointers for you.

First and foremost, always makes sure that you ride a predictable line

Sudden veering or weaving can have a serious impact. At best you can expect the air around you to turn temporarily blue with choice words. At worst you could cause a crash and possible injury to fellow riders, not to mention damage to bikes.

Be aware of who/what is around you, don’t just mindlessly follow othersYou might not have a clear view of the road but try to look through other riders so that you always know what is ahead and are prepared.

If you need to make a move within a group give others noticeA simple ‘on your right’ will ensure the rider ahead knows you are going to move past.

Don’t religiously follow the wheel in frontShould that rider need to brake suddenly there may be nowhere for you to go other than straight into them. Similarly, don’t overlap wheels – sudden movement by yourself or the other rider is likely to result in a crash.

Drafting is great, wheel sucking is frowned uponIf you are riding in a group take your turn at the front – the benefits are far greater if everyone takes a turn at leading. However, once at the front don’t suddenly decide to increase the speed because it suits you to – that’s just as bad as shirking your responsibilities!

Don’t half wheelHalf wheeling is when someone comes up alongside you and you immediately up the pace so that they have to work harder to keep up. You up the pace again and so it goes on – it’s not nice, don’t do it!

Communicate at all times!There is a range of voice commands and hand signals that every cyclist should know and understand. Briefly:

Shouting ‘car up’ or ‘car front’ and ‘car back’ is a very obvious warning of a car or other vehicle approaching the group.

‘Single out’ means that if you’re riding two abreast the group needs to change to single column formation. Outside rider should drop back behind the inside riders, and everyone should pace themselves accordingly to accommodate the outside riders.

Left arm or right arm out indicates the direction to take at a junction.

Pointing down at the road (often accompanied by a shout of ‘hole’) indicates a pothole or hazard that should be avoided. There is no need to point out minor irregularities to the road surface, but major potholes etc that could damage a wheel or throw a rider off balance need a warning.

Hand in the air means everyone needs to stop.

A hand to the side making a patting motion indicates slowing down.

Hand behind the back, usually the left hand pointing towards the right, indicates something ahead that means you need to move in the direction the rider is pointing to – most often used to indicate parked cars, pedestrians etc.

It’s also important that any of these commands and signals are communicated through the group so that all riders are made aware of what’s happening, so find your voice and use your hands!

Be self reliantMake sure that your bike is in good condition and that you have water, food and spares. You’ll win no friends if you end up begging the use of someone else’s spare inner tube and tyre levers!

Observe the Highway CodeNothing more to be said, it’s just plain commonsense.

Respect other road usersYes, we all know that cars and bikes aren’t always the most comfortable road partners, and some drivers have little respect for the safety of cyclists. But, and it’s a very big and important ‘but’, acknowledging those drivers who are mindful of passing safely and sensibly is a must. A simple nod or hand wave is enough to say ‘thank you’.

Say hello to other cyclists!It’s amazing how good it’ll make you feel. And if you see someone at the side of the road just quickly check that they are okay and don’t need assistance. Remember, one day it could be you – a friendly fellow cyclist might be very useful in an emergency.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/39643329-surviving-that-first-sportive2015-08-03T18:20:00+01:002015-08-03T18:34:39+01:00Surviving that first sportiveSummit Different

Rachel, one of our customers, talks about a recent cycling experience during her training for the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100.

I’ve always cycled for leisure with my family and have taken part in annual charity rides for years, but 2015 has seen my cycling go to a new level. I finally invested in a decent road bike ...

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Rachel, one of our customers, talks about a recent cycling experience during her training for the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100.

I’ve always cycled for leisure with my family and have taken part in annual charity rides for years, but 2015 has seen my cycling go to a new level. I finally invested in a decent road bike and I was lucky enough to get a ballot place in the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100. Training started in earnest but August seemed a long way off and I felt the need for an additional challenge to test my levels of fitness and endurance. And so I stumbled into the world of sportives.

Evans Cycles organises Ride-It events around the country and I found one close to home. The medium route of 50 miles was just what I needed and, being held at the end of June, the timing couldn’t have been better. I duly signed up to cycle the North Downs (in time to guarantee my free box of High5 goodies, naturally!) and then got down to the business of racking up the hours and miles every week.

As the day of the sportive approached I began to get cold feet. I didn’t know anyone else doing it and a lot of people from my local cycling club were planning to ride in a different sportive on the same day. Plus I’d had the chance to study the route, had ridden parts of it and was worrying about the five hills, two of which feature in the unofficial UK top 100 climbs. Even worse, the day before couldn’t have been any busier, crammed with commitments for my kids and little time to prepare my bike or even eat! I went to bed that night thinking ‘maybe I will, maybe I won’t’, but I woke before the alarm went off so resolved to just get on and do it.

I can’t believe how stupidly nervous I felt – the sort of nervous that makes you take forever to actually get ready and get started. After fiddling with my helmet, shoes and anything else I could think of, I finally got myself to the start tent ready for the briefing. I contemplated joining the women’s guided ride that was setting out a little later, but I didn’t want to feel reliant on someone else guiding me round and I thought there would be opportunities to fall in with a group of riders who would work together.

It didn’t turn out quite like that. I was actually on my own for much of the time, which was fine for the most part – I’m used to training on my own for 1-2 hours and know how to motivate myself – but did I miss the camaraderie of riding with others and having moral support when the going gets tough. I did hook up with a few riders at various points along the way – always helpful, if only for a few minutes – but never when I needed someone to tell me to ‘keep pedaling, you’re nearly at the top’, typical!

Needless to say, my mindset probably determined how I tackled the last few climbs. I’ve ridden Leith Hill before, I knew I could get up it and I did. I felt negative about Whitedown, having failed to conquer it on a previous ride, and I only managed to pedal part way before accepting that a grinding halt, closely followed by a standing fall, was imminent if I didn’t unclip and walk instead. That said, so did quite a few other riders and one guy admitted that it took him six attempts before he’d ever got to the top, so I didn’t feel like a total failure.

Ironically, in the closing stages of the course I seemed to collect a number of riders behind me, so as well as keeping the pedals turning I had to remember to point out potholes (love the Surrey roads!), signal and basically masquerade as temporary ride leader – it seemed quite odd after so many miles of having no one around!

Getting back to Polesden Lacey was welcome relief, even if riding over the sleeping policemen along the main drive were the last thing I needed! Did I feel jubilant? Not at the time, but over the next day or so I began to feel like I’d actually achieved quite a lot – even if Whitedown didn’t make it onto my tick list. I hadn’t wimped out of doing my first sportive, I didn’t get lost (thanks Evans for all those bright pink signs along the way!), I proved to myself that I can last longer riding on my own than I thought I would. And when I looked at my stats on Map My Ride I was really pleased with my average speed on the flat, considering I didn’t have the advantage of riding in a group. My ability to descend at speed also improved significantly between the first and final hills. I simply observed anyone ahead of me who seemed confident and tried to emulate them to the best of my ability – I was less scared, didn’t hold on to the brakes for dear life, and reached speeds previously unimaginable!

More importantly, this sportive proved that my training is going in the right direction for August. When I viewed the official finish times I rather pathetically tried to work out how I fared (remember, a sportive is not a race, people!) and was delighted to have just crept into the top half of the field. I’ve stopped myself from trying to work out how much better my time would have been had my stops been shorter at the feed stations… or if Whitedown had been levelled.

So would I do it again? Absolutely yes. Would I recommend sportives to others? Very definitely, just treat them as a personal challenge – whether you want to test yourself over a longer distance than normal or want to tackle hills you don’t normally come across. Which is why I’m now checking event calendars for a post-Pru challenge!

Rachel subsequently took part in the Pru 100 sportive and completed it in a quicker time than she’d estimated – all that training paid off!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/39637697-what-goes-up-must-come-down-descending-with-confidence2015-08-03T17:11:00+01:002015-08-03T17:07:50+01:00What goes up must come down - Descending with confidence!Summit Different

There are a lot of things to think about when descending and you won’t necessarily crack it all at once. Practice, as the saying goes, makes perfect and having a go at descending the same hill time and time again is one of the best things you could possibly do in terms of honing your technique. So, if you get uptight the minute you crest a hill, try our tips for descending ...

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If you followed the Tour de France you may have picked up on discussions about French rider Thibaut Pinot and his tentative descents in the Pyrenees and Alps. A noted climber, Pinot has admitted to a phobia of descending that stems from a serious crash when he was younger – it cost him valuable minutes over the mountain stages and he eventually finished 16th overall. Emma Pooley, Olympic Silver medalist in the time trial in 2008 and world time trial champion in 2010, who is now a professional triathlete was also once terrified of descending and had to work hard to conquer her fears.

It’s reassuring to know that even professional cyclists have their demons to fight. More reassuring still is the fact that there are steps you can take to deal with the fear and nerves when going downhill. You may even get to enjoy them – after all, a descent is the pay off after all the hard work you’ve put into a climb.

So, if you get uptight the minute you crest a hill, try our tips for descending:

First of all, relax! The more tense you are, the tighter you grip the bars the more difficult you will make it for yourself when you hit a bump.

Think about your position. Try and keep plenty of weight on the pedals. Keeping your pedals level on the straights will help with weight distribution. Riding on the drops is good technique – it makes you more aerodynamic and will create more speed, but it also helps to push your weight down over the front and back wheels which will help with traction.

Don’t coast all the way down. Your legs have worked hard on the climb, if you stop pedaling they could stiffen up. Keep your chain on the big ring on the front and do some pedaling even if it doesn’t make you go any faster, your legs will then be better prepared for the next effort.

Give yourself plenty of space if you’re riding with others. If a rider ahead of you suddenly swerves or brakes you’ll have little time to react if you’re right on their wheel.

Look ahead and be aware of the terrain, particularly potholes, manhole covers, wet patches, corners and cars. Anticipation is everything.

Position your hands so that you can quickly apply the brakes as and when needed. Even just a forefinger resting on the brakes will make all the difference.

Don’t be tempted to turn the handlebars when tackling a corner. Lean into the corner, putting your weight onto your inside hand and outside foot i.e outside pedal down, and keep your body upright. And keep your eyes focused on the end of the corner all the time, it will help you take the corner more smoothly.

Learn from other riders. If you’re out in a group it can be useful to observe and emulate those riders you know to be proficient. Likewise, you can learn a lot from watching the pros during televised events (though you might not want to try sitting on the crossbar!).

Want to slow down? Sit more upright, move your hands to the hoods and you’ll create drag. It’s also a safer position to be in if you’re having to brake hard.

There are a lot of things to think about when descending and you won’t necessarily crack it all at once. Practice, as the saying goes, makes perfect and having a go at descending the same hill time and time again is one of the best things you could possibly do in terms of honing your technique. Knowing the terrain means you can make small adjustments to the way you ride it each time and help you build confidence. And don’t feel you have to achieve top speed straightaway, either. It’s more important that you feel comfortable and in control of what you’re doing – once you’ve mastered your technique you can then look to speed up.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/38177985-riding-solo-what-to-do-when-you-need-to-clock-up-the-miles2015-07-20T15:10:00+01:002015-07-20T15:10:07+01:00Riding solo, what to do when you need to clock up the miles ...Summit Different

There are no two ways about it, riding solo on your own can be a tough ask. It’s fine if you just fancy getting out for a few hours every now and then, but if you’re training for a particular event and need to put in serious hours week in week out it can be hard to keep motivated.

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There are no two ways about it, riding solo on your own can be a tough ask. It’s fine if you just fancy getting out for a few hours every now and then, but if you’re training for a particular event and need to put in serious hours week in week out it can be hard to keep motivated.

Riding in a group has obvious advantages – it’s more energy efficient and having company tends to make the effort of climbing or extended mileage just feel easier. And if you’ve arranged to meet others at a particular time, you’re more likely to feel compelled to turn up. So when it’s down to just you it can be very easy to bail out of a planned training session because you feel a bit tired, the legs are sore or you think you’ll do it tomorrow instead.

Yet riding solo can be incredibly productive. You are master of your own ride, you can make of the hour or two hours available whatever you want – not want other people want. So, you can do a 25-mile flat circuit of interval training or you can challenge yourself to take in as many hills as possible – you can dictate the pace, the distance, the route. Riding into an unhelpful headwind? Change direction! If you want to concentrate on hill reps, you can – no one is going to be moaning about how boring that one hill is!

The biggest downside is probably the boredom of riding alone. That said, many cyclists see solo rides as valuable ‘me time’ and find it very therapeutic and/or inspiring even – Albert Einstein is quoted as saying “I thought of that while riding my bicycle” when he discovered the theory of relativity!

Use your head to power your legs!

Genius ideas may be beyond the reach of most of us, but anyone can play mind games to push themselves and make sure a ride will be beneficial. If you use Strava, Cycling Buddy or similar to record your rides you can obviously set yourself targets to reach over specific segments. But even if you just rely on a simple speedometer or nothing at all, you can create markers to aim for – a post box, a road sign, a particular bend in the road. Challenge yourself to reach them within a certain time or before needing to change gears. Ignore that little voice in your head saying ‘I’m not going to make it’ or ‘there’s no way I’ll get to the top’ and concentrate on proving it wrong – I know of one cyclist who, when things get tough, quietly chants ‘Bradley Wiggins Sarah Storey’ over and over until it is over and it works for her! Then, when you do get to the top of that horrible climb and realise you’ve made it, you will feel fantastic!

Riding on your own also has the potential to build resilience, resourcefulness and a strong mental attitude. You can rely on no one but yourself. Getting up tricky climbs is all down to you. There is no one to draft behind to conserve energy, no one to sit behind when you’re riding into a wind – you are putting in 100% effort. When it then comes to a sportive you’re less likely to feel the need to depend on group riding, you’ll be able to handle being dropped by faster riders and panic less about hanging on to a group during a climb. You will have built that all-important confidence that you can achieve on your own.

Still need convincing to pull on the lycra? Just think about why you’re training in the first place. If you have a particular sportive or event coming up keep it in your mind every single time you think you can’t be bothered to get your bike out. Imagine how you’ll feel if you turn up on the day regretting that you’re not in better shape, worrying about whether you’ll survive the course. Focus instead on how good you’ll feel knowing that you’ve given yourself every possible chance to do well, maybe even achieve a PB over the distance or particular segments.

A word on the practicalities of solo riding

Do always make sure you carry water and an energy bar or gel so that you don’t get caught short and risk bonking. Cash, phone, pump and spare inner tube should be with you at all times anyway, along with a gilet or jacket if the weather looks dodgy.

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/38177025-prudential-ridelondon-is-almost-upon-us2015-07-20T15:01:00+01:002015-07-20T15:02:22+01:00Prudential RideLondon is almost upon us!Summit Different

Right now approximately 25,000 amateur cyclists from all over the country are counting down the days and making final preparations for the third Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on Sunday 2 August. Introduced as part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy, this event has quickly made its mark on the cycling world’s calendar – it’s essentially the cycling equivalent of the world-famous London Marathon.

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Right now approximately 25,000 amateur cyclists from all over the country are counting down the days and making final preparations for the third Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on Sunday 2 August. Introduced as part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy, this event has quickly made its mark on the cycling world’s calendar – it’s essentially the cycling equivalent of the world-famous London Marathon.

Ridden on 100 miles of closed roads, the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 starts from Queen Elizabeth Olympic park in east London, travelling across the city and out into the Surrey Hills. It follows much of the Olympic road race route and takes in several iconic hills, including Leith Hill and Box Hill, before returning to London and a glorious finish along The Mall. For some cyclists the ride will be all the personal challenge of completing the course within 8.5 hours. For others their motivation will be all about raising money for their chosen charity – last year participants raised over £10 million!

These two events are undoubtedly the highlights, but there is also a lot more going in the capital on that weekend. ExCeL hosts the 2015 Prudential RideLondon Cycling show, which runs from Thursday 30 July to Saturday 1 August, and will feature leading cycling brands, charities, guest appearances from big names in the cycling world, stunt riding shows and plenty of other entertainment.

The line-up for Saturday

Much of central London will be closed to traffic on Saturday 1 August between 9am-4pm when an 8-mile route will be open only to cyclists. It’s a great opportunity for families to visit many of the capital’s favourite landmarks by bike, including the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and St Paul’s Cathedral. Along the route will be a number of festival zones with all sorts of entertainment and bike-related activities.

At 5pm, the 10th Brompton World Championship takes place, with 575 riders challenged to unfold their bikes and race around St James’ Park as fast as they can. In true Brompton style, competitors are expected to ride in typical commuter garb, with no lycra allowed, so expect some sharp suits and ties on show! The Grand Prix follows at 6pm, a series of criterium races for pro women – Lizzie Armitstead, Katie Archibald, Dame Sarah Storey, Marriane Vos and Laura Trott will all be there. And the Youth Boys and Youth Girls races are a great opportunity to see how the future of cycling is shaping up – remember the names, you might just get a glimpse of the next Wiggo or Trott!

Sunday’s events

From 6am to 9am riders will be setting off from the Olympic Park on their 100-mile challenge. Meanwhile, at 8.30am the Prudential RideLondon Handcycle Classic starts in Kingston, a 15-mile race featuring up to 30 handcyclists, some of whom are aiming towards the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. And at 1.30pm the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic starts from Horse Guard’s Road. 25 teams of six riders, some of whom will be heading to London straight from the Tour de France, and featuring Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, will race over a 200km route that is a variation of the amateur event.

There are plenty of opportunities to cheer on all the riders along the route. Kingston will be a good spot, where you can see riders both on their way out and returning from the Surrey Hills. Pyrford in Surrey will also be hosting a bike-related festival – watch the amateur and pro cyclists go past, catch up with the action on the rest of the course on the big screen and take part in all sorts of attractions. And there will be big screens in Dorking to watch the pro race, as well as seeing the race pass through the town five times. The BBC is providing live coverage of the men’s race and it will also be shown on a big screen in Green Park.

Get involved!

If London or Surrey are easily accessible why not go and soak up the atmosphere and support everyone taking part in the various events! Fancy having a go yourself next year? The ballot for the 2016 RideLondon-Surrey 100 opens on Monday 10 August and will close on Friday 8 January 2016 or before if 100,000 applications are received,

The world’s greatest festival of cycling would be nothing without plenty of volunteers to make the weekend run smoothly, and it’s another great way to get involved. Training will be given and you get lunch and a goodie bag. All volunteers also have the chance to win a brand new bike from Wiggle – the Verenti Insight 04.4, a top of the range carbon road bike

If you’re taking part we’d like to wish you the very best of luck and have a great time! And if you’re riding in a Summit Different jersey let us know and send us a souvenir pic of your day!

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https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/36673665-four-reasons-why-you-should-have-summit-different-in-your-life2015-07-16T15:03:00+01:002015-07-22T14:41:52+01:00Four reasons why you should have Summit Different in your life!Summit Different

Our cycling jerseys are designed to perform

Everyone in the Summit Different team is a cyclist – our collective love of cycling underpins the company. So we understand what our customers need and the importance of cycling jerseys that are fit for purpose.

Everyone in the Summit Different team is a cyclist – our collective love of cycling underpins the company. So we understand what our customers need and the importance of cycling jerseys that are fit for purpose:

Our cycling jerseys are made from premium lightweight polyester with self-wicking properties to keep you cool and dry – no matter how hard that hill might be! They also wash really well.

We’ve made sure that the cut of our jerseys are generous over the shoulders and longer over the back so that you’ll feel comfortable in the cycling position.

Three roomy rear pockets for snacks, spare inner tube and other bits you might want to keep handy.

Full-length concealed front zipper.

Great valueBrowse the likes of Wiggle and Chain Reaction online and you’ll be faced with huge choice and variety of brands, all with fantastic claims and USP's – many of which come with a suitably large price tag. At Summit Different we’ve ensured that our product range is affordable as well as technically excellent. For the price of one cycling jersey from one of the big brand names, you can buy several of ours. No need to carry out the sniff test, you can have one on your back and one in the wash!

Fun, fresh and differentWhilst many of us might aspire to be as fit and fast as a Sky or Pearl Izumi rider, we don’t all want to wear the team colours. One of the main reasons we set up Summit Different was because we could never find cycling clothing that really excited or inspired us. We put a huge amount of thought into our designs and their originality sets us apart from our competitors.

Our jerseys are also a great way in which our customers can express their own personalities and sense of humour – a Summit Different cycling jersey sets you apart from the cycling crowd. We also like to think that many of our cycling jerseys put a little smile on the faces of motorists as they drive past as well! We’ve also avoided the ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to our women’s jerseys. We know that not all females want to look pink, flowery and fluffy, so we just don’t go there!

Good customer service Our aim is to provide every single customer with an excellent customer experience – from choosing and purchasing their product to wearing and enjoying it. We treat our customers as we expect to be treated ourselves, and we’ll always go the extra mile to exceed expectations. Over the years we’ve built up a loyal customer base that spans the globe, and the feedback we get is amazing – people like our products, they keep coming back and they’re happy to recommend Summit Different to their cycling buddies - just checkout our customer feedback. It doesn’t get much better than that!]]>
https://www.summitdifferent.co.uk/blogs/news/36521345-tour-de-france-fantasy-league-win-a-jersey2015-07-02T16:46:00+01:002015-07-05T16:48:20+01:00Tour de France Fantasy League … Win a Jersey!Summit Different

As we’re all so uber excited here we’ve created a Summit Different Mini Tour de France Fantasy League. If you fancy joining our mini league then follow these simple instructions, its really easy and FREE! The winner and runner-up will each win a Summit Different cycling jersey of their choice.

As we’re all so uber excited here we’ve created a Summit Different Mini Tour de France Fantasy League. If you fancy joining our mini league then follow these simple instructions, its really easy and FREE! The winner and runner-up will each win a Summit Different cycling jersey of their choice.